Balloon Toons - graphic novels for early readers (ages 5 - 8)

Kids love comic books and graphic novels. They're drawn in by colorful illustrations, but they love the stories and the interaction between illustrations and text. Balloon Toon books combine simple text and panel illustrations in these stories perfect for early readers. You need to read the pictures as much of the words to follow the development of the story, a perfect task for new readers. I have found the Balloon Toon collection a bit uneven, so I would like to my thoughts on some of these books.

Rick and Rack and the Great Outdoors
by Ethan Long
NJ: Blue Apple Books, 2010
ages 5 - 8
available at your local library or favorite bookstore

Rick the Raccoon is your typical young kid who’s just not quite sure about the Great Outdoors. Fishing? It’s boring. Hiking? It takes too much energy! His friend Rack the Deer is determined to show him all the great things he loves: fishing, canoeing, and hiking. These friends remind me of classic pairs like Frog and Toad or George and Martha, bickering a bit but ultimately encouraging each other to try something new. This graphic novel is designed with engaging cartoon art and simple words to attract and encourage new readers. Rick the Raccoon is your typical young kid who’s just not quite sure about the Great Outdoors. Fishing? It’s boring. Hiking? It takes too much energy! His friend Rack the Deer is determined to show him all the great things he loves: fishing, canoeing, and hiking. These friends remind me of classic pairs like Frog and Toad or George and Martha, bickering a bit but ultimately encouraging each other to try something new. The cartoon format will appeal to young kids, with bright colors, simple text in speech bubbles and silly humor.

Zoe and Robot: Let's Pretend
by Ryan Sias
NJ: Blue Apple Books, 2011
ages 5 - 8
available at your local library or favorite bookstore

This graphic novel for young readers is very fun, combining simple text, colorful cartoon illustrations and a fleshed out story that kids can relate to. Zoe is a young girl who wants to play with her friend Robot. Zoe suggests they go mountain climbing, up a huge pile of pillows. Robot insists time and time again that he can't see any mountain. Robots can't pretend! This delightful book reminded me in some ways of Green Eggs and Ham, with a young child trying to coax a grown up to play and try new things.

The Super Crazy Cat Dance
by Aron Nels Steinke
NJ: Blue Apple Books, 2010
ages 5 - 8
available at your local library or favorite bookstore

We are big cat lovers in our family, and so I was looking forward to reading this book. The story is fun and silly, but there wasn't quite enough "there" there for me. It really seemed a bit disjointed to me. In the beginning, it's rhyming ode to cats, but then it turns into a lesson on doing the cat dance, and concludes with a trip to the moon. The illustrations and cartoon format will certainly appeal to new readers. It will be interesting to see if this is a book kids check out and recommend to friends.

Doggie Dreams
by Mike Herrod
NJ: Blue Apple Books, 2011
ages 5 - 8
available at your local library or favorite bookstore

This story is fun, but not very substantial. Kids will enjoy the bright illustrations and wacky humor. The text is easy to read and well laid out for new readers. But the stories just fall a little flat, relying on silliness that doesn't really stay with me. It's a fun read, but not one I can see staying with kids.

Have you read any of the Balloon Toon books? I'd love your thoughts on these, or other comic books for new readers. The review copies were kindly sent by the publisher, Blue Apple Books.

Review ©2011 Mary Ann Scheuer, Great Kid Books.